An EXW (Ex Works) or FCA (Free Carrier) quote from your Chinese supplier affects more than the purchase price. It determines who handles cargo pickup, export clearance, and delivery to your freight forwarder.
Under EXW, the buyer handles pickup and export arrangements. With FCA, the seller handles export clearance and delivers the goods to the agreed location, while the buyer arranges onward shipping.
Understanding this distinction helps you compare supplier quotations and plan international shipping from China without overlooking origin costs.
EXW vs FCA: Responsibilities at a Glance
| Responsibility | EXW (Ex Works) | FCA (Free Carrier) |
|---|---|---|
| Make goods available | Seller | Seller |
| Load cargo at the supplier's premises | Buyer | Seller, if delivery takes place at the supplier's premises |
| Export customs clearance | Buyer | Seller |
| Transport to the agreed handover point | Buyer | Seller, if the named delivery point is elsewhere |
| International freight | Buyer | Buyer |
| Import customs clearance | Buyer | Buyer |
| Risk transfer | When the seller makes goods available at the named place | When the seller delivers the goods at the agreed point |
Both terms fall under Incoterms® 2020 and can apply to air, sea, road, or multimodal transport. The key difference between EXW and FCA is how far the seller’s responsibility extends before the buyer takes over.
For more detail on ach term, see our guides to EXW shipping and FCA Incoterms.
The Export Clearance Challenge with EXW Shipments from China
With EXW shipments from China, arranging factory pickup is often easier than resolving export customs requirements.
A freight forwarder can arrange factory pickup and transport. However, this does not automatically determine who will act as the exporter for customs purposes. If your supplier cannot provide the essential export documentation or cooperate with the declaration process, the shipment may face delays before leaving China.
Before accepting EXW terms, confirm who will handle the export declaration and provide the supporting documents. If your supplier can clear the goods for export, FCA may offer a simpler arrangement without limiting your choice of freight forwarder.
FCA Shipping from China: The Delivery Point Changes the Cost
Two Chinese suppliers may both quote FCA, yet include different transport costs depending on where they agree to hand over the cargo.
If the delivery point is the factory, the supplier loads the goods onto your carrier’s collecting vehicle. If delivery takes place at a port or warehouse, the supplier arranges transport to that location and hands over the goods ready for unloading. In both cases, the seller handles export clearance.
The delivery point determines which inland transport costs the supplier covers, where your freight forwarder takes over, and when the risk transfers.
Therefor, when you accept an FCA quote, ask for the exact delivery address—not simply “FCA Shenzhen” or “FCA Shanghai.”
EXW vs FCA: Making the Right Choice for Your Shipment
Your decision should reflect what the supplier’s quotation includes and which origin services you can arrange in China.
FCA generally makes more sense when your supplier can handle export clearance and deliver the cargo to an agreed handover point. You can still choose your freight forwarder and control the international shipment.
EXW may work if you already have dependable support in China for factory collection, loading, and export formalities. Otherwise, the additional origin arrangements can outweigh the lower supplier price.
Compare the supplier’s quotation alongside the costs of moving the cargo to the agreed handover point. This gives you a more realistic basis for choosing between EXW and FCA.
How ASLG Supports EXW and FCA Shipping from China
ASLG works with overseas buyers and Chinese suppliers to coordinate cargo pickup, origin transport, and international freight.
For EXW shipments, we can review factory collection requirements and help clarify the export documentation arrangements. Under FCA, we coordinate cargo handover with the supplier and arrange onward shipping from the agreed location.
Depending on your cargo, destination, and delivery schedule, we can arrange sea freight or air freight. Our broader shipping and delivery services can also support other delivery requirements.
